Page 34 of Way of the Wolf

“I’m allergic to mold,” the other said, wrinkling her nose.

“We fix any problems as soon as our tenants alert us to them.” I stepped out onto the walkway and waved into my apartment. “As you can see, I live on the premises, so if anything happens, day or night, you can let me know.” Usually, I encouraged tenants tocome by during office hours, but Ididlet them know I was here. Since the owners paid me a reasonable salary and let me live in one of the units, I always felt compelled to be as helpful as possible.

“I’m going to take care of the mold personally,” Bolin hurried to add.

I resisted the urge to ask whether he’d found a potion that could handle that. The two ladies appeared completely human and normal. They weren’t paying attention to Bolin anyway but peering past my shoulder.

When I’d gestured into the apartment, I’d meant only to indicate it was my home, but they had spotted Duncan sitting shirtless on the couch and were staring at him. I winced, certain they were also noticing that he was attempting to wrap a roll of bandage around himself. They might think the complex was attacked all the time and that this wasn’t a safe area.

But the biker gang had been a fluke, and my family… hadn’t been here for any of the tenants.

“Who’s he?” one whispered.

Duncan looked over, smiled, and waved. “Evening, ladies.”

“Oh, he’s got an accent.” One clasped a hand over her chest. “Ilovethat accent.”

Maybe they hadn’t noticed the bandages and were simply ogling him. He had to be twenty years their senior.

“Does he live here? Is he a tenant?” the first asked, mold concerns forgotten.

“He lives in a van,” I said more tartly than I should have. But if they rented an apartment, it should be because they liked the location, the layout, and that I maintained the complex as well as I could, not because a hunky werewolf was loitering in the area.

“Is the vanhere?” The other flipped her hair and tried to catch Duncan’s eye.

“Not for long,” I muttered.

Duncan didn’t seem to notice the exchange. He’d turned his attention back to the bandage, and his muscles flexed nicely as he tore the end off the roll to tuck in.

“I can show you the apartment now.” Bolin sounded flustered. He addressed the women but peered into my apartment, as if trying to figure out what held their attention.

“Okay,” one said.

“Does it have a view of the parking lot?” the other asked, smiling. Assuming Duncan’s van might be there and that he wandered shirtless in and out of it all day?

“There’s some grass and trees to look at between the unit and the parking lot,” Bolin said, “but you’d be able to see your car from the living room if that’s what you’re wondering.”

“Not exactly.”

They giggled as they followed him away.

“Thanks for showing them the unit,” I called after Bolin.

He waved a hand in acknowledgment.

“Do I get a bonus if I flirt with prospective tenants and convince them to sign a lease?” Duncan asked after I closed the door and returned to the couch.

I’d thought he’d been oblivious to their interest but apparently not. My first instinct was to squash his ego, but he’d been too helpful today for me to want to snark at him.

“We don’t have a budget for bonuses for itinerant werewolves, but if those two sign a lease, I’ll let you metal detect on the grounds.”

“Oh, enticing. That could prove fruitful. And would my van be able to stay in a guest or staff parking spot without fear of being towed?”

“It hasn’t been towed yet, has it?”

“It has not. It’s possible my charisma is keeping you from following through on your threats.”

“I’ve also been busy.” I would have to thank Bolin for manningthe office and giving the tour. “And I need to continue to be busy. In the woods north of Monroe.” I eyed the night sky outside the window. It wasn’t that late, but it got dark early this time of year, making itfeellate. Visiting werewolves, even one’s own mother, at night wasn’t the best idea, but it was easier to slip away outside of the complex’s office hours. “Before I head out, do you need a ride to a healer of the paranormal or anything like that?”

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